Taking responsibility: Government and the Global CEO

Global economic recovery appears not only fragile but also unbalanced, with developing economies still growing but more mature economies, particularly in Europe, flat-lining or facing double-dip recession.

Economic uncertainty and volatility continue to impact on business confidence to invest and grow. Governments need to provide political leadership to lay the foundations for a stable and lasting global recovery, with fiscal austerity the order of the day.

This report assesses the changing relationship between government and business and sets out the policy and public sector delivery responses needed to address the challenging conditions businesses are facing.

Key findings:

65% of CEOs are concerned about governments' responses to fiscal deficits and the debt burden. Prioritisation, making tough choices and doing more for less (or increasingly the same for less) is the key to success.

48% of CEOs believe the global economy will decline further in the next 12 months: indeed, only about 1 in 7 (15%) CEOs believe the global economy will improve in the next year.

54% of CEOs are concerned about the availability of key skills as a threat to growth.